Funeral services for Clifford A. Lentz, age 90, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2010, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. John Carter will officiate.  Music will be provided by Rachel Wendler as organist with congregational singing.  Clifford passed away on January 22, 2010, at a care center in Watertown.

     Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Military graveside honors will be provided by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion of Watertown and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  Pallbearers will be: Michael Thompson, Matthew Lentz, Justin Lentz, Courtney Livingston, Scott Lentz, and Terry Kannas.

     Memorials may be directed to Great Plains Lutheran School or St. Martin’s Lutheran Church or School.

     Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday prior to services at the church.  The family is requested to meet at the church on Friday by 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service.

     Clifford was born on December 31, 1919, at Watertown, SD, to Eli and Emma (Zantow) Lentz.  He grew up in Rauville Township and attended District #15 school.  Clifford enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.  He attended basic training at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and was stationed in Germany during WWII. 

     On October 13, 1946, Clifford married Velma Krase at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rauville Township.  The couple moved to Watertown where they raised their family.  Clifford worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for over 30 years.  He was also known in the Watertown area as the ‘McNess Man’ for whom he was a salesman.  Clifford also worked as custodian for the Watertown Mall and J.C. Penney for several years.  He assisted local beekeepers with their honey business as well.

     He was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, where he was involved in church council, elders, head usher, men’s club, and Bible studies.  He was a former member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rauville.  Clifford was a member of Kiwanis Club and a member of the American Legion for 60 years.  He was president of the local chapter of ‘AAL’ for many years.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, playing horseshoes, and playing cards, especially Pinochle.  He loved spending time with his family and friends.

     Clifford is survived by his wife, Velma, of Watertown; three sons: Rollo (Deb) Lentz of New Ulm, MN, and Darwin Lentz and David (Stacey) Lentz all of Watertown, SD; two daughters: Celestine Thompson of Stockbridge, GA, and Pamela (Jeff) Peasall of Wisconsin Dells, WI; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Leonard Lentz of Indian Head, MD, and Le Roy Lentz of Watertown, SD; and two sisters: Lillian Livingston of San Diego, CA, and Delores Schmeling of Centennial, CO.

     He was preceded in death by one son, Richard; two brothers, Herbert and Bernard; two sisters, Daisy Kannas and Lauretta Winterhelt; and one son-in-law, George Thompson.